SAYNER - Thousands of Wisconsinites look forward to snowmobiling every winter. However, many people may overlook the work it takes to keep trails safe and open to the public. Dennis Horan serves as the President of the Barnstormers Snowmobile Club in Sayner.

"Snowmobiling has been a passion of my life. I love it," said Horan.

He's one of many who volunteer their time to maintain nearly 80 miles of snowmobile trails in Vilas County.

"When we moved up here we wanted to give back to the community," said Horan. "I didn't know I would give this much back but I'm happy."

Between clearing debris and putting up signs, Horan and his team have kept themselves busy since the summer.

"Every day there's something else to do," said Horan.

It's not easy work, but volunteers say it's necessary for the sake of safety.

"Our goal is to make sure the trails are in good shape, signed correctly, so that we are not the factor involved in accidents," said Barnstormers Vice President Jim Krieck.

While the Barnstormers take pride in their trail conditions, they remind riders to take the right precautions as well. Krieck says alcohol-related crashes are far too common.

"Unfortunately too many of the deaths that do occur are involved with drinking. You have to be very very careful," said Krieck.

Horan says they've made a lot of progress, but there's still plenty of work to be done. He's confident the trails will be in good shape by the start of the season.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - City workers and local artists painted the words "Black Lives Matter" in enormous bright yellow letters on the street leading to the White House, a highly visible sign of the District of Columbia's embrace of a protest movement that has put it even further adds with President Donald Trump.

MILWAUKEE - For the first time in 53 years, summer in Milwaukee won't have a Summerfest.

The crown jewel for the City of Festivals, and the largest music festival in the United States, was canceled for the first time, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Thursday morning in a unanimous vote by the board of Summerfest's parent company, Milwaukee World Festival Inc.

"Given the information available today, and the uncertainty surrounding very large gatherings, we cannot in good conscience proceed with the festival this year," Don Smiley, Milwaukee World Festival CEO, said in a statement. "The immediate future presents multiple levels of risk for our fans, and we choose the side of safety."

Refunds for Summerfest general-admission tickets are available at summerfest.com through July 17. 2020 general admission tickets and passes will also be honored for Summerfest 2021. Summerfest officials said dates for next year will be announced in the coming weeks.

PHELPS - Today, the Robbins family broke ground on their new home, courtesy of Habitat for Humanity.

"This is really exciting," said Dave Havel of the Northwoods Habitat for Humanity chapter. "With all of the issues we've had as a nation as a community. It's really great that we're moving forward and able to help this local family here in Phelps."

Excavation will start in the next few weeks - the next step in what both Rebecca and Cory call their dream home.

"They'll never know what this means to this family," said Rebecca Robbins. "They'll never know what this means to us. I have shed a few tears already and I'm sure a lot more to come. They'll just never know what this means to our family."

It will mean some freedom for Rebecca's daughter Jade.

"I will finally have my own room, after sharing a room with my older brother, then sharing one with my little brother," said Jade Robbins.

Cory works with Select Builders, the local contractor out of Eagle River hired by Habitat for Humanity.

"I can't believe I can do this," said Cory Robbins. "I mean, I've always dreamed of owning my own home and now I'm actually going to help build it."

This will be the 23rd home that Habitat for Humanity has helped build in the Northwoods, and the first one in Phelps.

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